What are food additives primarily used for?

Food additives are primarily used to preserve flavor and enhance taste, which is why they play a crucial role in the food industry. These substances can help maintain the quality of food products by preventing spoilage, ensuring that the flavor remains enjoyable throughout the shelf life of the item. Additives can also improve the overall sensory experience of food by enhancing flavors, colors, and textures, making the food more appealing to consumers.

The primary use of food additives doesn't revolve around increasing costs, as they are generally intended to add value and preserve quality rather than raise prices. Additionally, while some food additives can contribute to improvements in nutritional value, that is not their main purpose; their primary role is flavor preservation and enhancement. Lastly, altering the genetic makeup of food is not a function of food additives. That process pertains more to biotechnology and genetic engineering rather than the typical use of food additives.